Sam Taylor-Johnson is a renowned British artist, photographer, and filmmaker, best known for her work on Nowhere Boy and Fifty Shades of Grey. Throughout her professional journey, she garnered immense praise and recognition. She was honored with the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2011 by King Charles III, for her photography and artwork. However, her personal life has been controversial, primarily centered around her relationship with actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who is more than 20 years her junior.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson's initial meeting with Sam Taylor-Johnson occurred at her house, during his audition for the role of a young John Lennon in her directorial debut, Nowhere Boy.
Their seemingly fast-paced relationship raised eyebrows and sparked discussions about the dynamics of their union. Some have even speculated that Sam's divorce from her ex-husband, art dealer Jay Jopling, was motivated by her desire to pursue a relationship with Aaron.
Sam Taylor-Johnson Was Finalizing Her Divorce From Jay Jopling When She Met Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Sam Taylor-Wood (her old moniker), tied the knot with art mogul Jay Jopling in 1997. They stayed married for 11 years and share two daughters, Angelica and Jessie Jopling. However, their marriage began to fall apart as Sam embarked on her directorial debut, Nowhere Boy.
They announced their split in September 2008, with their rep saying, "Jay Jopling and Sam Taylor-Wood are saddened to announce that, after 11 years of marriage, they have agreed amicably to separate. No other parties are involved. For the sake of their two daughters, who are their number one priority, they have asked that their privacy be respected."
Sam Taylor-Johnson and Aaron Taylor-Johnson first met when the actor auditioned for the role of John Lennon in Nowhere Boy. Despite Aaron's busy schedule filming Kick-Ass, Sam, who was going through a divorce with Jay Jopling at the time, invited him to audition at her home.
"It was so inconvenient," Sam told The Sunday Times UK. "In the end, I was like, 'Okay, he'll have to come to my home.'..."
Sam initially told Harper's Bazaar, "I remember it was a really complicated day. I was moving house. I was so distracted and up to my ears in stuff, and he came in. He was so focused and started talking to me immediately in character in a Liverpudlian accent and gave a totally brilliant reading."
Sam fought for Aaron's casting among the 300 actors who auditioned for the role. She said that she was captivated by his intense presence the moment he entered the room, but this worried Aaron's fans because the "power dynamic" that Sam held at the time of their meeting can be seen as premeditation to her relationship with Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
Sam Taylor-Johnson's Eldest Daughter Approves Of Her Relationship With Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Sam's eldest daughter, Angelica Jopling, had a role in her directorial debut, Nowhere Boy, where Aaron Taylor-Johnson played the main character. Despite being only 7 years older than Angelica, Aaron was warmly embraced by Sam's daughters when introduced as their stepfather.
"When I first told Angelica about Aaron, she said, 'Well, that's so much better than some random fat bloke coming into our lives.' I was like, 'Why would I be with a random fat bloke?'..."
Aaron Taylor-Johnson has embraced being a family guy. "My friends call him Benjamin Button because he has — on the outside — such youth, and on the inside, he is so wise and settled. He doesn’t like parties. He likes being at home and cooking for the family. He likes walking the dogs. He loves his chickens — he collects the eggs and makes breakfast for everyone. He is an amazing man." Sam told New York Magazine.
Aaron expressed gratitude to his wife and children during his acceptance speech at the Golden Globes in 2017. "I want to thank my wife for being there with me and supporting me through this. Thank you for putting up with me... You're my soulmate and I love you very much. I'm blessed. I have four beautiful daughters: Angelica, Phoenix, Wylda, and Romy, I love you all very much." he said at the time
Sam Taylor-Johnson Was Accused Of Grooming Aaron Taylor-Johnson
The significant age and power difference between Sam Taylor-Johnson and Aaron Taylor-Johnson are causing people to be concerned for the actor. Sam, being older, wealthier, and more established in her career, held a position of authority as Aaron's director when they first met. Their relationship began while working together, although they try to deny it at first.
During a 2012 interview with the Guardian, Aaron was cautious in his response to Sean O'Hagan's question regarding whether they had genuinely developed romantic feelings for each other during filming, saying, "Well, you know, kind of. Maybe. I mean, it must have helped that we already had a brilliant connection as actor and director." Although Aaron mentioned a strong connection as actor and director, accounts from the set described a peculiar atmosphere where they appeared infatuated with each other.
Over time, the couple admitted to a connection during the filming of Nowhere Boy, with Aaron making the first move. Sam revealed that they never went on a date or kissed before Aaron expressed his intention to marry her after the production of Nowhere Boy ended.
"When I was on set, I was working so hard that I didn't really have the wherewithal to think about anything else," she says.
Their relationship blossomed after the completion of the eight-and-a-half-week shoot for the film, but Sam Taylor-Johnson remains tight-lipped about the specifics. While she admits that Aaron's proposal took her by complete surprise, she discloses that he had been planning it for a much longer time than she had anticipated, making the moment incredibly romantic.
Before tying the knot in 2012, the couple welcomed two daughters, Wylda Rae and Romy Hero. Sam praised Aaron’s contentment with being a stay-at-home dad in an interview with The Guardian, "The great thing about Aaron is that he's happy not working and being at home with the kids while I work."
Stacy Lee Kong wrote an article about the couple’s relationship saying that teenagers often develop crushes on adults, and it is Sam’s responsibility not to act on these attractions. Regardless of Aaron's maturity or positive feelings about the relationship, the power dynamics at play make it problematic. Aaron's age alone does not justify or make their relationship acceptable. Young adults can possess autonomy, intelligence, and responsibility, yet still find themselves in relationships with predatory individuals.
